CH. 10: Hard Choices

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra lets out a sigh, and begins her walk to Arulia's home. "It is probably worse for them," she says to herself.

[Haahque]

"What? They still don't pay for drinks? That's outrageous. I'll see if I can talk to someone and get that fixed. You need your drinks income."

[chese780]

"Let's goooo..."

(OOC: I'm back finally...)

[djhyland]

Arulia returns to William and shakes her head. "He doesn't know where Kendra is, either," she says despairingly. "If I can't find her, how else can I find out where they took my father?"

Dejectedly, Arulia starts back towards her home. Despite her promise to her mother, she has no idea on where next to turn. To allay her guilt in giving up so easily, she tells William of her delve into the basements beneath the ruined building. "I was at that building that burned down two days ago," she begins. "I was looking for work, and I happened to overhear a group of people in the High Hand talking about a rescue and needing people who could fight. I offered my services, and they hired me on. They took me to that building, into the basements beneath it, and we rescued the wizard's apprentice from a snake-cult. It seems too much like a coincidence that that was the building that burned down." She thinks for a moment. "When I find out where my father is, maybe we should go and talk to Tulbas. Maybe he knows what's going on..."

[BishGada]

Tulbas is about to leave when he hears Cassandra's surprised proclamation. "She's got a point you know." he tells Haaque while brushing one hand on the book in the pockets sewn in the folding of his robes, "How can you ensure they will pay for the show, not to mention the ale? You should think about it as would I. See you tonight." Knowing it might take a while to find answer for this question he leaves with Gobax and goes to Gregeddin house. "I hope he hasn't left yet." he says then sneaks a look to Gobax still admiring the revelation of a true priest other than the evil church but knows better than to mentioned it in the open, "So, what did you want to discuss?"

[Haahque]

"Well that's a simple question too. We collect as much money as we can before their stupid minds realize they can not pay for the show, then we can try to threaten to cancel the show if too few have paid by that time, or to not do future shows if enough people have paid. If they look like they're getting rowdy then the money collector leaves and I perform the show. The idea after all is to get into the soldier's good books so that they'll be more receptive to future endeavors that could pay well."

"If they don't want to pay we can also hint that there's free seating outside of the paid area. That one I planned because of this."

Haahqae will wait for Cassandra's response, then head out in the direction of the high hand inn.

(OoC: I'm somewhat assuming the huge cost for preperations for an event like this includes security to make sure that the event goes smoothly, the bard book did allude to this. I was planning on doing a much lower-security, lower-cost event, but Jaded's already gone and rolled up the cost via the normal cost rules, so does that mean I get some security for this?)

[JadedDM]

Haahqae (Steel Tankard, Common area)
Cassandra appears skeptical. "If you can somehow get them to pay their tabs...it might just save this place. But I think it more likely they'll just tear you limb from limb instead," she admits.

Tulbas and Gobax head out, talking.

(OOC: The question is, who are you hiring for security? Not the baaz themselves, I would assume. But soldiers are the only ones allowed to carry weapons.)

Kendra Greylock (Three Forks)
Kendra makes her way to Arulia's place. Just as she arrives, she spots Arulia herself about to enter. She has a handsome young man with her, a human, whom Kendra has never seen before.

Gregeddin (Prefect's basement)
Two more draconians enter the room, but these ones are kapaks. They are armed with crossbows and short swords. "We have done what you asked, sir," says one. "The two humans are in custody."

"Excellent," replies Tethys. "Be sure to treat Rye and Civila well. As long as our prisoner here cooperates, that is." He turns back to Gregeddin. "Should you not, their lives will be forfeit, as your own. I understand you also have a dwarf living with you. A friend? Lover? Someone you care about? Perhaps I should have him picked up, as well. And perhaps now you understand the situation you are in, human. This is not the time for games. It's not just your own life you need to be thinking about here. So are you willing to cooperate now, or just ramble some more?"

Tulbas and Gobax (Herbalist Street)
The two step outside and start walking toward Gregeddin's house.

(OOC: I wasn't sure if you wanted to talk on the way or not. If not, I'll bring you straight there next post.)

Arulia Seroth (Three Forks)
"I remember when the Belzorites were in Gateway," William says as they walk back to her house. "But I had heard they were all gone now, especially from Haven. Perhaps it was the army or the church who burned it, then? As a warning to any who would practice illegal faiths?"

By weird happenstance, just as they had reached the door and Arulia was about to enter, she spots Kendra approaching. She is not armed or wearing her uniform, but rather is in her normal civilian clothes.

[Haahque]

Haahqae heads to the high hand inn.

[HorizonsDream]

"Arulia!" Kendra calls out, and waves her hand at her to get her attention. She jogs to catch up to the woman before she can enter her house. She looks up to the man with her in slight surprise. "Who is your friend?"

[mgbevan]

"What exactly are you looking for my cooperation with?" The bard answers, "May I be so indulgent to ask you to explain clearly what you seek from me. My lack of foresight is apparently accompanied with me missing your motive." After a moment the bard bursts out aloud, "Wait... Lover?!"

[BishGada]

"I'd mind the tear limb by limb thing she speak about." Tulbas answers again before leaving the tavern. "You know what? It just occurred to me that the prefect might want to know about this public show, as many of his baaz will be there. And if he will be involved I'm sure he will make sure fees are payed, that if he will allow the show of course."

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(OOC: I think TristenC/Gobax wanted to talk on the way. Tulbas want to visit Gregeddin and then go back to his room to copy spells to his spellbook.)

[TristenC]

How are you holding up? I know you had a horrible experience during your capture… and I’m sure your living situation doesn’t provide much comfort. Hopefully things have had time to settle down for you… The goblin calling himself Gobax says.

[djhyland]

Arulia's dejection turns to relief at the sight of Kendra, and she pulls William along as she hurries over to her. "Oh! Kendra, this is William," she replies after a moment's hesitation--she had been so intent on asking after her father that she had forgotten that William's presence might be notable. "William, this is Kendra, the soldier I told you about." Turning back to Kendra, she stammers, "William...William was in the shop when a group of dragon-men burst in and arrested my father, and he's been kind enough to come with me to find out why. We've been looking for you...do you know what is going on?"

[JadedDM]

Haahqae (High Hand Inn, Common area)
Haahqae arrives at the High Hand. Fortunately, it does not appear that the innkeeper here has been arrested, as she is currently behind the bar. She's an elderly woman, one of the plainsfolk that often roam the plains outside of the cities. It's rare to see one in a place like this, much less running an inn.

Kendra and Arulia (Three Forks)
"Nice to meet you," William says with a polite, but somewhat aloof nod to Kendra.

Gregeddin (Prefect's basement)
"What I want from you is information," Tethys answers. "Who you work for, who you work with, and what your next target is. Why did your people burn down that building in the harbor district? Was it merely a distraction so you could try to escape, or was it meant to send a message of some kind?"

[Haahque]

Haahqae will glance around the room to see how many baaz are currently lounging around the inn, then he'll make his way up to the bar.

"Hello, I'm planning on putting on a show on Monday for a fair number of baaz. I was wondering if you would be interested in selling drinks in the market square during my event? There should be a substantial number of them there, so there should be plenty of customers."

If Haahqae spied four or more baaz in the inn at this current time, he'll add on to his speach.

"Also, I was hoping on putting on a little performance right now as an advertisement for the event. Would that be okay with you?"